Psalm 26, 28; 1 Samuel 19:1-18; Acts 12:1-17; Mark 2:1-12
David escapes Saul twice with the help of Saul’s children. Jonathan was a man of extremely noble character and was willing to risk his father’s disapprobation to help his friend David. David, for his part, was innocent of wrongdoing and Saul simply hated David for the works he did in battle. The madness of Saul, his insecurity and his desire to be king all worked together to make him a pathetic figure. Even Michal his daughter was willing to help her husband David escape her father’s wrath as she knew it to be unjust. In none of these episodes do we see Saul ever inquire of the Lord, he is a man now completely ruled by his internal demons.
Already at this early juncture in Jesus’ ministry, the word is out that He is someone who can heal. The crowds are so great that these men with the paralytic see it is hopeless to wait for Jesus and they are impatient to have their friend healed. Their actions on his behalf are extraordinary and one can imagine Jesus’ wan smile as this pallet is let down before Him as He recognizes the love these friends have for one another. The first words He speaks, however, are not of healing but of the forgiveness of sin. What right has He to pronounce forgiveness absent any sign of repentance or sacrifice on this man’s part? Does Jesus simply do this to be provocative? I believe that the healing was dependent on the man receiving pardon as I don’t believe Jesus would have said it if it wasn’t necessary. Normally, He didn’t give absolution when He healed so here it must have been necessary. The man’s paralysis must surely have some connection with sin and Jesus’ argument is that it is more difficult to heal paralysis than forgive sins so the healing proves his authority to forgive. The leaders, however, begin to be jealous of Jesus.
Why did Herod want to please the Jews? He knew that his family looking back to Herod the Great, was despised and his program was the Pax Romana, the Roman peace. He was an appeaser of the Jews, even participating in temple worship. It was said of him that he was guided by his queen who was, in turn, guided by the great rabbi Gamaliel himself. He saw the Jewish Christians as a potentially divisive faction that could upset the peace he had worked so diligently to establish. In this lesson he, for no reason given to us, has James the brother of John put to death. This so pleased the Jews that he chose also to have Peter arrested during the Passover with the likely intention of beheading him also. Peter, however, is rescued from prison by an angelic visitation. Peter has had visions in the past and assumes this is one also, the people at Mary’s house don’t believe it possible that Peter could be at the door. He is in prison under Roman guard for goodness sakes, how could he be here? Who are we trying to please in our lives. God or man?
Fatherlike He tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame He knows.
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Widely yet His mercy flows.
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